Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * We will recruit female participants who are current Peninsula Dental School patients aged 18+, with any oral health status, including women taking the oral contraceptive pill and HRT, but this will be noted as confounding factors to be explored for association during this study. However, we only be able to recruit participants which have been female from birth and have not taken any transitioning hormones in their life. Exclusion Criteria: * As this study focuses on the oral microbiome, salivary biomarkers alongside periodontal health, the following exclusion criteria will be applied, as they are known factors which influence the oral microbiome. These include existing diagnosis of diabetes (Type I or II), use of complete dentures, current immunosuppressant therapy, use of antimicrobial mouthwash within the past 3 months, being unfasted for 3 hours and consumption of predefined nitrate-rich foods within 48 hours before the appointment.